Additional project info   |  Map of Study (Location approved is ABCDEF)
RICHMOND, Nov. 17, 2005 - The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) today approved the location for a new 21.4-mile highway that would provide an east-west connection between Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. The road would be a four-to-eight-lane divided highway and located south of Stumpy Lake. It would begin west of I-64/464 in Chesapeake and end at I-264 in Virginia Beach. This is alternative south of Stumpy Lakes (ABCDEF). Click on map above to view location.

The CTB directed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to continue to work with state and federal agencies to minimize the impacts to environmentally sensitive areas, including wetlands.

“This is a critical project needed to improve mobility in a region that has experienced tremendous growth over the past 30 years,” said Acting VDOT Commissioner Greg Whirley. “The CTB’s location decision is a significant step in the process to move this project forward.”

VDOT had presented six alternatives, including the option of building nothing, during two public hearings in July. Five of the alternatives involved building an east-west link in various locations. The hearings were held following the completion of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which involved in-depth review and study of environmental impacts to all alternatives. The study phase included extensive public participation, in which citizens and local governments favored an east-west connection south of Stumpy Lake.

The next steps in the process are the completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement, followed by a Record of Decision by the Federal Highway Administration. Construction can not begin until permits are received from state and federal regulatory agencies.

The CTB also directed VDOT to solicit private sector proposals under the Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) to build the project. A possible way to pay for the Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt is through tolls under a public-private venture. State and federal funds are not sufficient to pay for the project, which is estimated to cost $1 billion.

Page last modified: Nov. 8, 2006